royrobinetmcginngroutpicking Biblioteca actuadores pcslighting

{a.delgado|a.robinet|j.mcginn|v.grout|r.picking}@newi.ac.uk

2001), developed to enable user-programmable specification of the interaction between

interfaces must be flexible enough to adapt to the targeted public, fit any user's preferences and/or needs and

as refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, cookers, etc. the so-called white goods)

As a generic concept, home automation offers lifestyle improvement through the combining

Centre for Applied Internet Research (CAIR), University of Wales, NEWI, Wrexham, UK

Outstanding Home Automation projects are already in evidence, often giving special attention

Assistive Human-Machine Interfaces for Smart Homes

automation systems, Multi-agent systems, White goods, Embedded systems

making it appropriate and extensible for the inclusion of other devices that may be deployed thereafter. The

This work is part of the EU FP6 IST e-inclusion

appliances in a domestic house.

for-all" philosophy, oriented towards a multi-agent system interacting with an intelligent engine. Originally, the

1. Introduction: Design aspects of smart homes for an ageing population

Computer systems have shown in the past (Zajicek, 2000) that they can be powerful allies in home -based health

of various home systems into a unified, familiar, intuitive and non-threatening solution.

the specific needs of their beneficiaries. Satisfying usability as well as the functional requirements in such a

staff experience the benefits of modern technologies for themselves.

make the interaction as simple and intuitive as possible.

User interfaces, Ambient intelligence, Design-for-all, Accessibility, Smart homes, Home

Another is the Metro Group, using Radio Frequency

Keywords

Many of these systems are to be found in roles associated with the elderly and/or disabled and

Abstract

`EASY LINE+' project.

enter retirement years soon, the demands made upon health services grow and, where

(England, 2005).

care and offer great potential to improve quality of life - but only if they are designed to take into consideration

system will focus on the control of white goods (large kitchen appliances) but will have scalability properties

needed for independent living at home. Facilitating the control of household appliances (such

healthcare facility costs, it is anticipated that more and more people will prefer to choose the

are about to become more significant than ever. With the baby-boomer generation about to

and the home environment (lights, heaters, doors, windows, curtains etc.) through various

home setting are equally critical. This paper discusses the development of user interfaces, following the "Design-

to particular user interests or requirements. An example is AutoHan (Blackwell & Hague,

possible, the need to reduce the need for human caregivers is vital. Due to the increase of

Armando Roy Delgado, Alexia Robinet, John McGinn, Vic Grout and Rich Picking

Homes are expected to assist growing groups of senior citizens (Figure 1) where help is

Identification (RFID) technology in order to develop the "Future Store", where customers and

devices that encompass multimodal and ambient interfaces is an obvious way to achieve this

smart homes solution for the range of benefits offered. Consequently, in the future, Smart